Site Supporter

A Lafayette High School graduate has been kicked out of the University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg because he wrote on a personal Web page that he is gay.

The student, Jason Johnson, 20, was officially dismissed either Thursday or yesterday, according to Larry Cockrum, director of media relations at the 1,700-student Baptist institution, formerly called Cumberland College.

Johnson, a sophomore majoring in theater arts, was at home in Lexington last night. The dean's list student said he could not comment under instructions from his lawyer, Don Waggoner.

Johnson was apparently thrown out of school, three weeks before the end of the school year, because his declaration that he is gay on MySpace.com violated a university policy that says:

"Any student who engages in or promotes sexual behavior not consistent with Christian principles (including sex outside marriage and homosexuality) may be suspended or asked to withdraw from the University of the Cumberlands."

Jim Taylor, the university's longtime president, was attending a funeral in Atlanta and was unavailable for comment. However, he released this statement:

"At the University of the Cumberlands, we hold students to a higher standard. Students know the rules before they come to this institution. We've followed our policies and procedures in keeping with our traditional denominational beliefs.

I expect there is more to the story than what the newspaper is able or willing to report. But one question that comes to me is -- does posting one's orientation on a blog constitute engaging in or promoting a particular sexual behavior? It could be merely a statement of fact. And the college could have responded to that in a less draconian way.

By the way .. the attorney, Don Waggener (correct spelling) was a student in the BSU at UK when I was campus minister there a lifetime ago!

Originally posted by Joseph M. Smith: I expect there is more to the story than what the newspaper is able or willing to report. But one question that comes to me is -- does posting one's orientation on a blog constitute engaging in or promoting a particular sexual behavior

Click to expand...

I'd say "no."

I'm not Baptist, though, and I'm not afraid that gay people will infect straight people.

My school is only a secondary school, but we have a 24-7 rule and posting something on a website in violation to school rules/policy etc would be grounds for expulsion and was in at least one instance I know of.

This guy supposedly knew the rules and the position of the school before he enrolled, and I suspect he knew them even better after being there. He broke the rules. He received the appropriate punishment. Now I suppose the homosexual activist crowd will fund a series of law suits to force the college to change its policy toward homosexual students and homosexual activity.

What is really sad is that they may succeed.

Bapmom, just because many students "support" him does not mean the school isn't Baptist. Being Baptist, as a college, does not preclude non-Baptists from attending. Being a Baptist does not render one immune from the error of not following the teachings in God's Bible.

I based my comments on "Baptist in name only" on the comments made further in the article by a fellow student of his. She said that he was "openly gay" and that we'd be surprised at how many other students in their college were also gay. For it to be such a prevalent occurrence it is beyond me how no one in the administration could know it, and thus not do anything about it.

Otherwise, I understand what you are saying.

I do admit that I know absolutely nothing about this college/university other than this article.

If the student knew the rules before going to school there then he might as well look for another college.
Who knows some gay people are activists. The student may have enrolled there simply to cause trouble for the school.
It does happen you know it just doesn't get reported. There is such a thing as militant,gay activists.
It is a private school with the guidelines clearly outlined.
I would say hit the road jack. Plenty of schools out there that would love to have some more gay dudes in them.

Site Supporter

Originally posted by mcdirector: My school is only a secondary school, but we have a 24-7 rule and posting something on a website in violation to school rules/policy etc would be grounds for expulsion and was in at least one instance I know of.

Click to expand...

About the worst rule I have ever heard of in my life! I hope someone challenges nonsense like this 24-7 rule in court and the school has to sell every pickn' pencil to "defend" themselves, then goes out of business FOREVER!

Originally posted by go2church: </font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by mcdirector: My school is only a secondary school, but we have a 24-7 rule and posting something on a website in violation to school rules/policy etc would be grounds for expulsion and was in at least one instance I know of.

Click to expand...

About the worst rule I have ever heard of in my life! I hope someone challenges nonsense like this 24-7 rule in court and the school has to sell every pickn' pencil to "defend" themselves, then goes out of business FOREVER! </font>[/QUOTE]Ahhh, Thank you for your thoughts -- especially as they were expressed so lovingly.

I do believe that private institutions have the right to set whatever policies they see fit, and those who join private institutions are obligated to follow the rules.

I think the school should have mandated counseling for the young man instead of giving him the boot. It's not unusual for adolescents to have gender confusion and to need help sorting these issues out. Maybe there is more to this story that we don't know though.